Home » Interview » Exclusive! Shayan Munshi makes a comeback with Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury’s Dear Maa
Exclusive! Shayan Munshi makes a comeback with Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury’s Dear Maa
Shayan Munshi plays an important character in Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury’s Dear Maa, which also features Chandan Roy Sanyal, Jaya Ahsan, Saswata Chatterjee, Padmapriya and others
May 18, 2024
Shayan Munshi
The last time Shayan Munshi faced the camera in India was in 2016, in Cross Connection 2. After eight years, the actor is all set to be back on the floors in Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury’s Dear Maa. The film, which features Chandan Roy Sanyal, Jaya Ahsan, Saswata Chatterjee, Padmapriya, Dhritiman Chatterjee, Anubha Fatehpuria, and others, will have Shayan in a pivotal role. The film will go on the floors next week.
Shayan Munshi on his comeback
Is Shayan excited to be back? Talking to OTTplay, Shayan said, “It is exciting to be back, yes. I will be shooting in Kolkata for a Bengali film after years. Also, I will be working with a team that I trust. I have known Tonyda for a very long time. His wife, Indranidi, has known me since I was a child. She was my father’s patient. I worked with Aveekda (Mukherjee, DOP) in Ekti Tarar Khoje. I am comfortable working with them. I am looking forward to it.”
Shayan has been living in Kolkata for a couple of years now and has devoted himself to Dr Nihar Munsi Eye Foundation, an ophthalmology institute run by his family. “I am a managing trustee there and have dedicated my time to this place. The perpetual question that I faced all these years was when I would be back again acting. To be honest, I have been on the fence. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to act again. Meanwhile, Tonyda kept telling me that he would do something with me. ‘Toke kintu amar sange kaaj korte hobe (You will have to work with me),” he used to say. Finally, he offered me this role. He did not need much convincing, though. My thirst as an actor drew me into the project,” said the actor.
'When I was in New York, I worked with theatre groups'
Is Shayan nervous to face the camera again? “Not nervous. I am excited to be back in Kolkata and it is like revisiting my life. When I was in New York, I worked with theatre groups. I worked in the off-Broadway theatre. I have been in practice,” he said.
Shayan refused to divulge his character in Dear Maa. “Tonyda thought I was appropriate for the role. My character is sensitive, compassionate, and has a big heart. He takes things in his hand and is not driven by societal dogma,” he revealed.
Dear Maa delves into a mother-daughter story in which characters face insurmountable emotional challenges. Can Shayan relate his on-screen character to his real life? “Honestly, I do. We are trapped by society’s labelling. If I take away the social pressure and dogma, the real Shayan Munshi would react the same way my character reacts in the film,” he said. The actor further added, “It is not just me. Most human beings would behave differently if social labelling and dogmas were lifted from their shoulders.”
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